Statewide flyover set for Thursday

LIHU‘E — The Hawai‘i Air National Guard and 15th Wing Active Duty Airmen from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam will be flying over Wilcox Medical Center at just about noon on Thursday, part of a statewide flyover salute to all frontline workers battling COVID-19, as well as those staying at home to “flatten the curve of transmission” of the virus.

The flyover will feature all locally based U.S. Air Force planes, including a C-17 Globemaster III, a KC-135 Stratotanker and a flight of F-22 Raptors, which will complete routine training sorties as they visit each neighboring island.

These aircraft were already scheduled for these training flights, so the flyover is at no additional cost to the taxpayer. The flight path was coordinated with state officials and Federal Aviation Administration. The altitude of the flyover will vary between 2,500 and 3,000 feet.

“This event will recognize the hard work that everyone in Hawai‘i has already accomplished to keep Hawai‘i’s COVID cases among the lowest in the United States, while also acknowledging the need for continued vigilance, and our obligation to those in our community who will require continued assistance,” said Brig. Gen. Dann S. Carlson, 154th Wing Commander.

“These flyovers are meant to provide hope and reaffirm confidence in our state and nation while emphasizing the Air Force’s enduring commitment and support to the people of the state of Hawai‘i.”

Onlooking residents should watch from the safety of their homes while adhering to social-distancing guidelines and should refrain from traveling to see the flyover. The frontline workers are encouraged to witness the flyover outside their facilities, but citizens should also follow Gov. David Ige’s order to maintain social distancing and avoid large gatherings.

Inspired by the Air Force’s Operation American Resolve Salutes campaign, the flyover is intended to provide a salute to all the health-care professionals, frontline responders, and essential personnel working to keep everyone safe and healthy during these unique times.

The F-22s are operated by the Hawai‘i Air National Guard and active-duty partners in the 199th and 19th Fighter Squadrons. The fifth-generation fighter incorporates stealth technology, radical maneuvering capabilities, the ability to fly at supersonic speed without afterburners, and unprecedented pilot situational awareness, making it the most dominant and advanced air superiority fighter in the world.

The C-17 is known to be the Air Force’s most flexible cargo aircraft, and is locally operated by a total-force team from the 535th and 204th Airlift Squadrons. It has the ability to perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions in support of global humanitarian/disaster relief, while delivering medical supplies and personnel, and can transport stretchers and ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations.

Hickam’s C-17s have been utilized frequently over the past several weeks to deliver medical supplies to and from the continental U.S. and to transport Hawai‘i National Guard Joint Task Force personnel and equipment to the islands.

The KC-135 provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied-nation aircraft, and is operated by the Hawai‘i Air National Guard’s 203rd Air Refueling Squadron.

Once the planes fly over Kahuku on the island of O‘ahu, the routes will diverge, with a C-17 proceeding to Kaua‘i and a KC-135 diverging east towards Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, Hawai‘i Island and Maui. The F-22s will peel off to the north to continue with regularly scheduled training.

Hawai‘i Air National Guard encourages viewers to tag the flyover on social media in photos and videos of the formation with the hashtags: #TeamHickamSalutes, #AirForceSalutesHI, #FlyoverHawaii, #InThisTogether, #respondHINGwithAloha.